Cheap flights across Europe often fall into two categories. In the first, you’ve got massive tourism hubs that you can almost always count on for low fares and great deals. Think Barcelona, Rome, Paris — proper bucket list destinations.

In the other group, there are loads of smaller destinations that typically have cheap tickets, but you might struggle to even point them out on a map. Or, maybe you’re just rightfully afraid of getting caught in a spooky little town for longer than you bargained, à la Twin Peaks.

That second collection of cities makes up the secret corners of this varied continent that have more than enough to offer all the family, even if it may not seem like it on the surface.

Now, there are plenty of takes on this very topic, but we’re going to do things a little differently.

At Jack’s Flight Club, we know cheap flights. So, we’ve decided to take what we know about the local airlines and route prices, and merge it with the coolest things to do in each city. All to deliver you a guide on where to go, how to get there, and what it should cost. And we’ve wrapped it up in a nice bow for you too 🙂 

So, without any more hubbub (and in no particular order), here are our 7 most underrated cities in Western Europe, and how you can actually travel there cheaply.

Beziers, France

Typical Flight Cost: £35–£55 return

Airlines: Ryanair

What to do there:

Small and sleepy, Beziers lets you slow way down. This is not the Southern France you know. Gone are the crowds and resorts. In their place is an ancient city dotted with cafés and frescoes, where you can finally sip your wine in peace.

Because of its size and serenity, this is a great spot for families with babies or toddlers. There are a few playgrounds, and you can even tour the town by miniature train (free for children under age four) or by renting a canal boat. If a stint as captain sounds too stressful, you can still get the wind in your hair on a guided Canal du Midi boat trip.

For visitors in need of more adventure, you can easily head to the larger towns of Montpelier, Narbonne, or Carcassonne on day trips while keeping Beziers as your tranquil home base. And though it might not be a beach town, it’s pretty close — coastal towns like Cap d’Agde, Sète, Sérignan and Vias are only around 25–30 minutes away.

Girona, Catalonia, Spain

Typical Flight Cost: £40–£80 return

Airlines: Ryanair, Jet2

What to do there:

Beyond the tourist crowds of Barcelona, there’s a much calmer, more authentic place to experience Catalan culture. Meet Girona: close enough to Barça for a day trip, but far enough to feel like a whole other world.

That’s why it was a perfect pick for filming Game of Thrones. The city’s medieval architecture is dramatic and remarkably well-preserved, especially in its Jewish Quarter — one of the best in all of Europe. Just make sure any kids on your trip can handle some climbing; while best explored on foot, Girona is packed with stairs and hills. But as a reward, you’ll get epic views and, quite possibly, the best ice cream in the world.

The scenery doesn’t end with architecture, either! Day trip up to the Costa Brava for pale rocky cliffs, vibrant blue water, and castles overlooking the sea. The beaches here will make Barcelona feel like a distant dream.

Cologne, Germany

Typical Flight Cost: £30–£60 return

Airlines: Ryanair, Eurowings, British Airways

What to do there:

Welcome to the Old World! Berlin might pull people in with Bauhaus and techno, but Cologne brings a much more historical vibe. Between the Roman ruins dotted around town, and that imposing Gothic cathedral that towers over the city below, you’ve got thousands of years of history to admire.

But all that history comes with a sweet side too. At the Chocolate Museum, you can learn pretty everything there is to know about the world’s favourite sweet treat (and yes, there are tastings). You can even arrive on the Chocolate Express, a miniature train that carts you from the cathedral to the museum.

There’s plenty to keep you busy in Cologne, but you’ve also got some excellent day trip options. Options range from wine country to Beethoven’s birthplace to the Disney-esque Drachenburg Castle, so there truly is something to please everyone.

Trieste, Italy

Typical Flight Cost: £30–£50 return

Airlines: Ryanair

What to do there:

This too-often overlooked corner of Italy offers a bit of a blend: the Italian culture (and food) you know and love, plus a little Austrian architecture, and a dash of the Balkan vibes. For example, this is the only part of the country where visiting osmizas — the Slovenian term for farms that serve fresh meals — is a common pastime.

It also happens to be the coffee capital of Italy! Trieste consumes more java than any other city in the country, and they even have their own customs for ordering. We hear some of the best coffee spots are along the canal, so you’ll have the perfect views to sip by.

When Coffee Time becomes Wine Time, head for Cavana. This very old and very authentically Italian neighbourhood used to have an infamous reputation, but has since become a happening spot for wine bars. For couples or families with older children, it’s the perfect way to end a day in Trieste.

A Coruña, Galicia, Spain

Typical Flight Cost: £40–£70 return

Airlines: Vueling

What to do there:

These beaches are almost too pretty to believe, and there’s a lot of them — most of A Coruña is on a peninsula jutting out from the Galician coast. Everywhere you look, there’s golden sand and bright blue water.

With so much ocean at your fingertips, the fish here are friends and food! A Coruña boasts both an excellent seaside aquarium, and a myriad of super-fresh seafood tapas. Even their most famous building, the “glass city,” was built for fishermen.

Between the curious critters, the interactive museums, and the family-friendly beaches, this is one of the best places to take little ones on a seaside holiday. It’s also a popular cruise ship port, so check port schedules ahead of time to avoid the crowds.

Nantes, France

Typical Flight Cost: £30–£60 return

Airlines: easyJet, Ryanair

What to do there:

A little classy, a little quirky, and artsy from head to toe, Nantes offers plenty of chances to tickle your brain. After all, not every city has its own giant mechanical elephant or is so close to Puy Du Fou.

The museums here are numerous and top-notch, ranging from a Breton history hub inside a castle to an in-depth look at France’s most famous sci-fi writer, Jules Verne. Their outdoor exhibitions are also stellar, like the botanical garden packed with art and animal topiaries.

To keep the cultural parade going while you stop for dinner, head to the historic La Cigale, an old favourite among French surrealists. Nobody would blame you if you decided just to hop from one creperie to the next, though!

Plus, it’s just a two-hour train ride from Paris, so you can pop over to the City of Light for a bit without being stuck in those crowds (or paying those prices).

Tavira, Portugal

Typical Flight Cost: £40–£100 return

Airlines: easyJet, Ryanair, Wizz Air, Jet2, British Airways

What to do there:

If you’ve swooned over pictures of Portugal’s Algarve but recoiled at the thought of all those partying tourists, you’re in luck! Tavira offers all the scenery with a much more relaxing ambience, just a half-hour drive up the coast from Faro’s chaotic airport.

It’s a place for wandering past colourful tiled buildings and walls of bougainvillea, for napping on the beach, and for sipping port as you watch the sunset. Visit the nearby octopus fishing village of Santa Luzia, and you might just want to abandon your old life for a new one with more cephalopods.

If your little ones aren’t exactly impressed by all the Instagrammable scenery, there are some feathered friends who might just catch their eye. Flamingos flock to Tavira year-round, and just so happen to be easiest to spot during the calmer winter months.

These are just some of our favourite under-the-radar cities in Europe, but there’s plenty more where they came from! For even more cheap flights and off-the-beaten-track recommendations, sign up to Jack’s Flight Club today.